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Shinzo Abe

Shinzo Abe was the prime minister of Japan from 2006 to 2007 and from 2012 to 2020. He was the longest-serving prime minister in Japanese history and was a member of the Liberal Democratic Party. He was fatally shot by a gunman while delivering a speech on behalf of another politician in the city of Nara on July 8, 2022. The gunman was identified as a 41-year-old local man who was a veteran of the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force and said he was frustrated with Abe.

Born

21 Sep 1954

Industry

Politics

Job Title

Former Prime Minister of Japan

Shinzo Abe

‘Bad signal’: Japan’s Russia outreach puts Takaichi at odds with G7 allies

Energy needs have driven Tokyo to explore cooperation with Moscow again, which could make Europe ‘uncomfortable’.

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Opinion | As the Quad loses its anchor, China has a chance to act

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The leaders plan to discuss strengthening supply chains of critical goods given concerns about China.

Is self-censorship behind Japan’s ‘problematic’ press freedom ranking?

Media insiders say Japan’s press is rarely overtly repressed, but access pressures and newsroom caution still shape what gets reported.

Dozens injured in Japan after man sprays mystery liquid in Tokyo shopping centre

An elderly woman said her throat started ‘stinging and hurting’ as she approached the ATM where the liquid had been sprayed.

Japan’s ‘cutest’ envoy shows Britons how to love Britain

‘He has made me feel more proud to be British than any politician or any figure since I was born,’ a content creator says.

Opinion | The domestic dynamics driving Japan’s remilitarisation

Sanctions, diplomatic warnings and aggressive rhetoric create a perilous loop, reinforcing the very domestic tendencies China seeks to deter.

Asian Angle | Why Japan-China ties can benefit from promoting people-to-people exchanges

Filling the information gap through direct contact between the two peoples can help improve both countries’ public images and ease tensions.

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Both sides are expected to discuss cooperation in areas such as energy and artificial intelligence.

Japan’s PM Takaichi tells fellow politician she needs ‘more sleep’

The remark came as Takaichi’s leadership recently hit the six-month mark.

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Tokyo and the transatlantic security alliance have a shared problem: what happens if the US walks away?

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White House photo of Japanese prime minister apparently dancing to a band draws derision on Chinese social media.

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As I see it | Forget Weimar, it’s Japan’s Taisho period we need to talk about